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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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