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

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the restart

Furthermore with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat 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 Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

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

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds suffered four successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current form and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such spirit and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," the manager continued

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

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for 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 half"

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

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