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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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