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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually 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 allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"