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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional 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 Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy 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 adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"