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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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"