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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester 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 start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"