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Leeds manager 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 made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations 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 within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"