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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

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 eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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