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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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

"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 adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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