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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 Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. 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 for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play 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 talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds 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 often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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