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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"