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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. 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 governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship 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 extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came 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 Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"