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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have performed 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 was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"