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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair 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 pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"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 questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"