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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for 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 frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"