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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"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 like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"