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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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