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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"