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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"