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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for 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 period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"