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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra 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 Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance 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 responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"