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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared 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"