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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke claimed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"