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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"