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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"