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Leeds head coach 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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee 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 fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"