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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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