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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"