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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. 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 fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"