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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? 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 find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just 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 personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"