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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even 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"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way 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 City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"