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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"