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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"