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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands 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 smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee 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 sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"