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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the standings

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

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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