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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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