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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 match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"