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Leeds United head coach 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 got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break after a change of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? 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 governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their fortunes

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

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current form and climbing back up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's campaign, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"