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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"