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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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