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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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