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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in 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 obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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