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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. 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 everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"