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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. 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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. 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 defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came 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 Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"