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

Leeds made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's lead before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break following a adjustment of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring straight away following the resumption

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the two minutes the game was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of fair play? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

"I questioned the assistant referee at this moment if you wish to do something. Our options are limited"

"Unless we educate our players in the game what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything 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 myself. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight goals this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline conference with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds United lost four successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second-half performance provided enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent chance to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the belief before the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have strong unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second half"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"