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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"