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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve 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"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty 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 little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

"Leeds United can take 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 questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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