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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

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

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take 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 responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"