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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination 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 after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"