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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the break after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within 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 keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"