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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 top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were 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 City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"