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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 top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," 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 smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold choice at the half-time that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control 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 crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

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