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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. 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 determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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