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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't 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 reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded 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 capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"