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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"