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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"