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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive 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 discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"