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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

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

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"