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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch 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 last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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