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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled 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"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"