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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football 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 order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"