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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't 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 keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official 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 regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"