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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly 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 team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"