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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy 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 adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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