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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually 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"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"