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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury 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 Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and altered the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

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

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered enough proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We had the confidence before the match, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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