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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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