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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed 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 first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," 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 clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"