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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

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

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned 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 huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"