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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 top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? 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 fourth official at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and changed the setup a bit," commented Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That little break was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"