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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot 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- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "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 way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"