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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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 authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"