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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played 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 Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"