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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"