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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 got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? 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 resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"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 frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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