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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned 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 massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"