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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"