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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. 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 keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice 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 touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"