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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

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

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"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 terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"