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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

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

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"