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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. 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 up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

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

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed 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 was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"