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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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