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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"