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

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester 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 period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"