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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied following the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules 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 allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little 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 got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City discovered a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"