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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," 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 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 questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

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

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"