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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within 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 determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"