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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach 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 actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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