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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest 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

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"