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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. 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 governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"