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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight 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 interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge 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 time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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