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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

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 attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play 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 approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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