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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 match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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