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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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