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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned 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 Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"