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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"