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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. 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 determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations 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 have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"