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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"