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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"