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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"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 within the spirit of fair play? 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 questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. 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- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"