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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

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

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually 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 have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"