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

The visitors made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

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

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"