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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. 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 reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. 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 just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed 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 came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"