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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"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 bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"