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

The visitors got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Denied

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

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to receive attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everybody understands why he went down," Farke stated

"This isn't the obvious issue. Why he fell it was clear. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I approve? If it's in line with the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a resolution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and fair play and whatever and if we simply attempt to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner condemned Leeds to a sixth loss in seven Premier League fixtures to place them eighteenth in the Premier League, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having scored fewer top-flight goals this season

Tactical Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure especially around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that almost turned around their situation

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

"At half-time we were in command. After halftime they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they deployed two up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. 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 make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds

The last time Leeds lost four consecutive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their campaign ended with relegation

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their overriding emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient evidence to suggest they are able of halting their current form and moving back up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and unity we have a excellent opportunity to earn the points," Farke added

"We had the confidence prior to the game, throughout the game and after the encounter. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Opinion

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody anticipated it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is often criticised for not being as responsive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It appeared like it could be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds United's season, but City found a measure of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"