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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try 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 allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"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 roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"