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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

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

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"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 City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"