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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"