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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"