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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

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

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"