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Leeds manager 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 got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead ahead of the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back after the interval after a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and even 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 Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two up top and altered the formation a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty 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"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our main emotion is frustration", their second period display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the results," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the game, during the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"