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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? 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 up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"