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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 Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"