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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable 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 should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"