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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"