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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order 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"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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