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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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