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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within 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 keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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