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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment 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 just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"