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Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their Premier League match at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the first minute, prior to Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' lead before the interval

Second Period Revival Thwarted

However, the visitors fought back following the break after a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the resumption

Furthermore with Manchester City clearly struggling to cope with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the touchline and deliver new instructions during the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody knows why he went down," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was clear. It is within the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the spirit of fair play? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our players in football what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to bend the rules and even do a fake injury in an attempt to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is allowed by the rules I can't complain"

Late Winner

Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds to a sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only bottom club Wolves having scored less top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Adjustments

Nonetheless, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around changes, was nearly vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

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

"We genuinely struggled to get hold of the match. We got together on the side of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it got better from there. That little break was vital to get things right"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The most recent time Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with demotion

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is frustration", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to indicate they are able of arresting their present run and moving up the table

"To show such a display should provide us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a excellent chance to win the points," the manager continued

"We possessed the belief before the match, during the fixture and after the encounter. Or else you can't respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, former Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody 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 manner they have performed in this second half"

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the City centre-backs"

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