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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 fixture at the Etihad

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

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"