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

Leeds got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds play was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is smart. 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 for the governing bodies to determine a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

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

"Unless we teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer Premier League strikes this season

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of boldness especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only capable to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot higher, they deployed two in attack and altered the setup a little bit," said Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the side of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are able of halting their present run and climbing back up the table

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, during the fixture and following the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They got away with one this evening"