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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"