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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, 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 fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence 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 great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"