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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 the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not 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 in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking 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 anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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