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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester 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 finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not 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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced 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 measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"