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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 top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. 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 sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil 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 got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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