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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 top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"