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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control 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 make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody 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 manner they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"