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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

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

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"