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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the 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 brilliance. They got away with one this evening"