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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? 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 ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

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

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"