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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. 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 for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"