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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"