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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"