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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

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

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try 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 regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. 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 get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"