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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 Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone 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 spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were 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 Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"