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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. 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 governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"