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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted 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 rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"