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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often 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 turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"