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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. 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 fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"