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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "bend the rules" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

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

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner 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 ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"