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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"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 terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display 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 was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"