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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play 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 talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take 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 proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"