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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell 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 should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

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

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"