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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"