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

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we just try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are capable of arresting their current run and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should provide us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

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

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