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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations 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 allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"