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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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