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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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