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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"