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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within 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 solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"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 formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display 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 was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"