If you have a leak on only one tube, the exhaust isn't traveling the way it was intended (ie.: through the manifold). If its black around the gasket, couldn't that just mean exhaust is working its way around the gasket therefore leaving it blacker? The only way to change air/fuel ratio on one cylinder (in my mind) is if you had an O2 sensor on each exhaust manifold "tube". A very complicated setup i'd imagine.
More details would help also...
any cylinder head damage?
old, worn piston rings?
anything else relevant to this situation.
hope this helps