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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way 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 centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"