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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

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

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"