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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we 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 even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

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

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display 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, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"