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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 top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, 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 clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands 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 smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered 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 changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

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

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester 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 period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should 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 United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"