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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"