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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not 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 in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated 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 more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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