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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"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 formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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