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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold 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"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the points," the manager added

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

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