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Leeds 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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "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 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 proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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