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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not 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 for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, 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 Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, 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 adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often 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 United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"