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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"