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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at the Etihad

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Revival Thwarted

However, Leeds fought back after the break after a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the spirit of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds United

The last time Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League matches was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been far from easy in this second period"

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

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

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