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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra 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 winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"