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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, 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 winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

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

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

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

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"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 looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"