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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within 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 resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played 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 roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"