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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. 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 should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"