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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play 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 can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"