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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"