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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"