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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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"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 fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory 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 performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"