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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were 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 Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"