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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"