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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we 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 simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward 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 manner they have performed in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"