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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"