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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship 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 talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

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

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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