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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second half"

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"