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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge 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 United

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

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

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"