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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after 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 up top and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"