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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in 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, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve 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"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship 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"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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