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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 Etihad Stadium

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 hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline 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 elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win 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 manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"