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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"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 like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"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 physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"