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

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

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? 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 up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"