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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. 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 just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, 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 defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"