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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"