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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"