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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper 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 doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," 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 approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"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 should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"