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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"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 within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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