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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit 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 half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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