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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 scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. 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 keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything 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 within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take 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 proactive 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 turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"