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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 Etihad Stadium

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second-Half Comeback Thwarted

However, the visitors rallied following the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue new directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everybody understands why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is smart. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a solution"

Manager's Disappointment

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you wish to take action. Our hands are tied"

"If we don't teach our players in the game what to do in regards of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we just attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a fake injury in order to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Stoppage-Time Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them 18th in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer Premier League strikes this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, said that his side were only able to reorganize after Guardiola's sideline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We genuinely struggled to gain control of the game. We got together on the side of the field and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent time Leeds United lost four straight successive Premier League games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are capable of arresting their present form and moving up the standings

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

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you cannot respond 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: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it might be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but Manchester City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"