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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? 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 assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"