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

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, 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 decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and climbing back up the table

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

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have played 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 roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"