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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 Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"