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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond 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 Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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