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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight 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 interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

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

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"