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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"