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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

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

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"