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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"