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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense 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"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee 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 simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds 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 ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"