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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"