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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned 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 huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"