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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted 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 United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"