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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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 authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"