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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 match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a 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 got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable 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 frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"