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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty 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 little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United 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 questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"