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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"