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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. 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 make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"