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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point 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 fair play and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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