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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club 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 way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"