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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

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