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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine 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 educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"