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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. 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 simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win 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 period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"