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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms 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 extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance 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 came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"