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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. 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 for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"