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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"