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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"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 simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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