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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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"