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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship 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 within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds suffered four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

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

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"