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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? 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 governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second half"

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

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