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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"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 terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"