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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. 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 reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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