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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

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