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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy 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 criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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