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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following 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, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody 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 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 was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"