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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

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

"Leeds United can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"