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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following 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 altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"