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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach 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 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 rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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