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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal 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 touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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