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

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"