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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

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

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play 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 extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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