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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra 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 stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. 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"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came 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 defenders"

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