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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second period"

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"