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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"