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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"