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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy 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 adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

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