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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"