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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" in 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, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver new directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive top-flight matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great chance to win the results," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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