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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything 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 myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"