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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed 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 beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands 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 regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually 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 rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil 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 brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"