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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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