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

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

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

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

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the standings

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

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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