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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 lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, 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 decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"