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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated 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 display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"