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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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