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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead ahead of the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just try to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period display provided enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"