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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone knows 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 like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds lost four successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker 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 can derive a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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