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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra 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

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things 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 lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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