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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

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

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

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

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated 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 period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"