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Leeds 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 finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine 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 educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup 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 adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing 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 far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"