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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even 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 have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker 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 derive a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"