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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt 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 injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win 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"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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