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

Leeds 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 advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"