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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"