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Leeds United manager 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 made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"