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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"