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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty 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 sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted 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 regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"