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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? 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 authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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