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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"