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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"