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Leeds United 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 worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"