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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed 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 edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"