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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 Premier League fixture at the Etihad

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Denied

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

And with City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and issue fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke commented

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was obvious. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's within the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the authorities to determine a solution"

Manager's Frustration

"I ask the assistant referee at this point if you want to do something. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in order to do an extra team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's stoppage-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight fixtures to place them 18th in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched fewer top-flight strikes this season

Strategic Changes

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a bold decision at the interval that almost turned around their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his side were only able to regroup following Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive Premier League games was in 2022-23, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke stated that "our main emotion is disappointment", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the standings

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we demonstrate such determination and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke added

"We had the confidence before the game, during the fixture and following the game. Or else you cannot come back with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton said: "Everyone anticipated it to be a straightforward victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

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