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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows 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 smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"