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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands 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 clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

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