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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"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 attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"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 physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"