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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"