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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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 turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable 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 often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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