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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within 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 reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"