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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within 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"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed 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 unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"