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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected 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 played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"