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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense 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 Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"