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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. 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 even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned 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 might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"