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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"