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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often 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 looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"