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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"