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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

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

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit 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"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"