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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds 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 obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"