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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty 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 brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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