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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. 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 authorities to find a solution"

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 players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. 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 Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"