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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes 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 regulations. It is clever. 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 for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"