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

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

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. 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 governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

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

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, 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 appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"