Leeds United boss Daniel Farke felt Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma simulated an injury in the second half of their top-flight encounter
Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke claimed Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of feigning injury to "exploit the regulations" in their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium
The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval
However, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the restart
Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds play was stopped for
"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented
"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"
"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to do something. Our options are limited"
"Unless we educate our footballers in the game what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"
Phil Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term
However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of boldness particularly around changes, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes
Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad
"During the break we were in control. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a bit," commented Phil Foden
"We really struggled to gain control of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"
The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion
However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided enough proof to indicate they are able of arresting their current run and moving up the table
"Displaying such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a great chance to earn the points," Farke continued
"We possessed the belief before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"
Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from easy in this second half"
"Leeds can derive a lot from this performance with the manner they have performed in this second period"
"Following that were 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 City defenders"
"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.