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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 top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with 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 resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight 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 frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"