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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations 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 allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during 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 Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"