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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager 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"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"