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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"