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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"