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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling 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 touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"