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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense 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 point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually 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 rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"