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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following 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 a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"