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

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side 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 put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, 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 can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"