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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"