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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval 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 sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"