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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations 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 rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"