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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just 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 approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run 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 excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

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

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"