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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt 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

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for 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 performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"