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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? 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 solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"