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

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

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

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

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 far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"