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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 Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"