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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. 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 governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"