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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, 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 injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone 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 performance with the way they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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