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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal 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 less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"