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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"