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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 finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new instructions during the 120 seconds 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 obvious. It is within the bounds of the rules. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, said that his team were only capable to regroup following Pep Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

However, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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