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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 Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break 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 bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

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

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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