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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"