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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with 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 determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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