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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"