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Leeds 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 got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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