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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"