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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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 control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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