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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to 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 got away with one this afternoon"