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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply 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 myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their present form and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable 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 responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

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