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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" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

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

And with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules 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 allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Deciding Goal

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven Premier League matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having notched fewer Premier League goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his team were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they deployed two up top and altered the formation a little bit," said Foden

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

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds lost four successive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display offered enough proof to indicate they are able of halting their current form and moving up the standings

"To show such a display should give us lots of belief. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have strong unity and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up the City defenders"

"It appeared like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"