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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try 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 myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

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

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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