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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? 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 governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"