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

The visitors made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied following the break after a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the resumption

And with City clearly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair in attack and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

However, while Farke said that "our overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this afternoon"