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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock 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

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"