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

The visitors got off to the worst possible beginning with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, the visitors fought back after the interval following a change of tactics and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away following the restart

And with City visibly struggling to deal with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and deliver fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"This isn't 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 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"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this moment if you want to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't educate our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a bold decision at the half-time that nearly reversed their fortunes

Speaking to television pundits, Foden, said that his team were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they put two up top and changed the setup a bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was crucial to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United lost four straight consecutive top-flight matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

However, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the standings

"Displaying such a display should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and following the game. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but easy in this second period"

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

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

"It appeared like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' campaign, but City found a measure of brilliance. They escaped with one this afternoon"