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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted 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 bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

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

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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