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

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

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"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 roughed up the City centre-backs"

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