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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned 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 fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"