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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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