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Leeds head coach 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 beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"