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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played 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 physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"