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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. 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 up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"