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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, 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 nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"