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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. 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 governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way they have performed in this second period"

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"