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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

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

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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