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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"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 bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. 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 leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"