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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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"