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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"