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Leeds manager 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 worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? 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 assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

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

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"