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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"