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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within 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 keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play 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 like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"