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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able 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 changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"