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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal 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 new directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive 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' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"