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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"