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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship 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 like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the table

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

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

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