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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not 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 sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold 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 capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"