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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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