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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with 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 resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"