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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge 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 consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"