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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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following 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 treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"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 evening"