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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. 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 exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive 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' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"