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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"