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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows 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 clever. 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 up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"