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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors made the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage ahead of the interval

Second-Half Revival Denied

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

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with 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 determine a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in the game what to do in terms of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight matches to leave them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Strategic Changes

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

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot higher, they put two up top and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The last time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half performance provided sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us plenty of belief. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the results," the manager continued

"We had the belief prior to the match, throughout the game and after the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Pundit Analysis

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and roughed up 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 measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this evening"