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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"