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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody 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 clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations 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 within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"