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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive 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 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 could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"