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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped 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 rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"