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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands 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 smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, 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"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"