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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"