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Leeds head coach 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

Leeds made the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the opening 60 seconds, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the interval

Second-Half Comeback Denied

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

Furthermore with City clearly having difficulty to deal with the adjustments just before Lukas Nmecha equalized, City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and deliver fresh directions during the two minutes play was stopped for

"Everybody knows why he collapsed," Farke stated

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the rules. It is clever. If I like it? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will reserve to myself. It is for the governing bodies to find a resolution"

Manager's Frustration

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

"Unless we educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we simply try to bend the rules 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 regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal condemned Leeds United to a sixth loss in seven top-flight matches to place them 18th in the division, with only bottom club Wolves having scored fewer top-flight strikes this term

Strategic Changes

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness particularly around changes, was almost rewarded for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to reorganize following 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 a pair in attack and altered the formation a bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to get hold of the game. We assembled on the edge of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it got better from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last time Leeds United suffered four successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with demotion

Nevertheless, while Daniel Farke said that "their main emotion is frustration", their second period performance provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of arresting their present run and moving up the standings

"Displaying such a performance should provide us plenty of belief. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the confidence prior to the match, during the fixture and after the game. Otherwise you can't respond with a performance like that. We have great unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Pundit Opinion

Commenting on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Scottish club attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

"Leeds can derive a lot from this display with the way 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 was introduced and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

"It looked like it could be a massive pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but Manchester City found a bit of quality. They escaped with one this afternoon"