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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"