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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"