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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to 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 United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"