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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy 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 adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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