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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. 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 sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory 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"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"