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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper 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 within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed 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 United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"