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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

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

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager'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 simply attempt to exploit regulations 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 regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester 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 often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"