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

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? 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 fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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