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Leeds United manager 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 worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"