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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"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 sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth loss in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"