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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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