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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"