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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"