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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after 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

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"