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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really 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 vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"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 changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"