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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"