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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"