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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win 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 great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"