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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands 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 smart. 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"