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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. 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 solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"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 roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"