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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

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

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"