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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were 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 centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"