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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"