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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly 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 summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. 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 governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were 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 City defenders"

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