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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"