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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

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

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"