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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. 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"

Coach's Disappointment

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

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"