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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone 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 performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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