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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands 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 smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

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

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"