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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"