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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play 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 approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"