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Leeds United 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 poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. 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 authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable 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 half"

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

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