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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in regards 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 additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed 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 came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"