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Leeds manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight match at Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' lead before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back after the break following a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the changes just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver new instructions in the 120 seconds the game was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this moment if you wish to do something. Our hands are tied"

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

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolves having notched less top-flight goals this season

Tactical Adjustments

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

Speaking to television pundits, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

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

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the field and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

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

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "our overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered enough evidence to suggest they are able of halting their present run and moving back up the table

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

"We had the belief before the match, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward win for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second half"

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

"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 roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds United's campaign, but Manchester City found a bit of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"