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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"