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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty 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 get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"