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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"