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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused 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 start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and climbing back up the table

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

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"