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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? 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 Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United 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 frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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