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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 match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers 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 meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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