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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at Etihad Stadium

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game 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 bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-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 bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight goals this term

Tactical Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to reorganize after Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half display provided enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

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

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the way they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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