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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 beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt 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 stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted 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 occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"