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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"