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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"