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Leeds manager Daniel Farke claimed City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"