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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"