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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "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 take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"