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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, 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 injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"