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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed 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 scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. 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 determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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