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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions during 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 clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second period"

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

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