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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 match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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