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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the sideline and deliver fresh instructions in the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. 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 determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to take action. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," the manager added

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"