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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the restart

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his side were only capable to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their main feeling is frustration", their second-half performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the standings

"To show such a display should provide us lots of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this evening"