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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

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