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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? 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 resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of 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 to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"