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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 the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations 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 within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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