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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

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