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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"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 roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"