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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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play 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 like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"