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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous 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 Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"