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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

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

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"