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

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

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. 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 within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game 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 fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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