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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 top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United 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 questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"