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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms 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 rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"