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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish 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 fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"