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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody 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 bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with 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"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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