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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 Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"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 sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"