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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League 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 lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for 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 performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"