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Leeds United head coach 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 got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. 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 fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

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

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

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

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward 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 can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"