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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"