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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 fixture at Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

However, the visitors rallied after the interval following a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

Furthermore with City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a fake injury in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less Premier League goals this season

Strategic Changes

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

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds suffered four consecutive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "our main feeling is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have played in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"