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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply 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 like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving back up the table

"To show such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate 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 following the game. Or else you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"