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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"