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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 Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"