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Leeds 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 got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"