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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"