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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

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

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