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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance 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 came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"