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

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

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"