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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"