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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised 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 could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"