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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"