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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"