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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 made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even 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 rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

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

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"