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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play 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 within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"