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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back following the interval following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"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 just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the way they have played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"