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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try 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 Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold 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 vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"