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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"