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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "bend the rules" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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