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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 Premier League match at Etihad Stadium

The visitors made the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, Leeds rallied following the break after a change of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone knows why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to take action. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in an attempt to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Strategic Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a bold decision at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his side were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline conference with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United lost four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke stated that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period performance offered enough evidence to indicate they are capable of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the belief prior to the match, during the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Speaking on radio analysis, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

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

"It looked like it might be a huge turning point in Leeds United's season, but City found a bit of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"