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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything 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 approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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