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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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