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Leeds 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 got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

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

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try 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 myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"