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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee 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 bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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 control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"