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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were 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 could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"