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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in 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 home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared 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 evening"