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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? 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 for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"