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

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

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

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"To show such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

"Leeds United 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 often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"