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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated 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 display with the way they have played in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"