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Leeds United 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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try 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 within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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