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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"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 results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

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