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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows 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 in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"