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

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage ahead of the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue new instructions in the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. 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 authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less Premier League goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We assembled on the side of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season concluded with demotion

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable win for Manchester City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds' season, but City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this afternoon"