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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

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

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"