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Leeds head coach 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 beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"