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Leeds head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the interval after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's in line with 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 resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around substitutions, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

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

"During the break we were in control. Second half they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and altered the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds suffered four consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main feeling is frustration", their second period display provided enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present form and climbing back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to win the results," Farke continued

"We had the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

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

"Leeds can take a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"