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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

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