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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within 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 reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"