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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? 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 determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"