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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 top-flight fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of 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 governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and climbing back up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

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

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

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

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"