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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds 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 frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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