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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost 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 period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

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

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"