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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage ahead of the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

Nevertheless, Leeds fought back following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately after the resumption

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I questioned the fourth official at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed a pair up top and changed the formation a bit," commented Foden

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

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their season ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period display offered enough evidence to indicate they are able of halting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a performance should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," the manager continued

"We had the confidence before the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it could be a huge turning point in Leeds' season, but Manchester City discovered a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"