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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors 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 adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody understands 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 rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt 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 can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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