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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"