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Leeds United 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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel 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 turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"