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

The visitors got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely 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 time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their present form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"

"Leeds 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 responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"