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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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