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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even 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 rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"