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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point 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 fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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