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Leeds United manager 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 got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach 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 even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"