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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" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"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 physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"