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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not 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 in line with the sense of fair play? 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 ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned 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 might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"