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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"