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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were 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 campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"