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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"