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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling 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 collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, 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 injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"