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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes 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 obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try 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 rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds can take 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 proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"