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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest 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 Revival Thwarted

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

And with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone 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 smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief before the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for 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 played in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"