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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win 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 played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"