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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

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

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"