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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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