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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Coach's Frustration

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

"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 attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"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," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"