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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell 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 authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. 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 get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"