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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester 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 period"

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

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