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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions in the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? 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 authorities to determine a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in regards of fair play and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I like personally. 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 consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this term

Tactical Changes

However, Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and altered the setup a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Signs for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds lost four consecutive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second-half display offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"To show such a performance should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great opportunity to earn the results," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief prior to the match, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot come back with a performance like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on radio analysis, former Scottish club forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone expected it to be a straightforward win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds United can take a lot from this display with the manner they have played in this second period"

"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 physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it might be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City discovered a measure of quality. They got away with one this evening"