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Leeds United 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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"