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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 the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"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 within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game 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 additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"