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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the interval after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep 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 wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

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

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief before the game, during the game and after the game. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this display with the manner they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned 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' campaign, but City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"