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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

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

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced 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 discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"