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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for 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 performed in this second period"

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

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