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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager'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 football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, 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

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"