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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"