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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. 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 authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"