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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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