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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for 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"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"