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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

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

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"