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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment 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 just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can derive 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 responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"