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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

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

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"