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Leeds United 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 Etihad Stadium

Leeds got off to the poorest beginning with Phil Foden scoring within the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the home side's advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the break following a adjustment of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the resumption

And with City clearly having difficulty to cope with the adjustments moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get treatment, allowing boss Pep Guardiola to summon his team to the touchline and issue fresh instructions during the 120 seconds play was halted for

"Everyone knows 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 within the sense of fair play? If it should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a fake injury in an attempt to do an additional team meeting, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

Foden's injury-time winner sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive defeat in seven top-flight fixtures to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolverhampton having notched less top-flight goals this term

Strategic Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a absence of adventure especially around substitutions, was nearly vindicated for a bold choice at the half-time that almost turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, said that his team were only capable to reorganize after Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in control. After halftime they emerged, pressed us a lot more aggressively, they deployed a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," said Phil Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to get hold of the game. We got together on the side of the pitch and adjusted a few things and it improved from there. That little break was crucial to get things right"

Positive Signs for Leeds

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four successive top-flight games was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke said that "our overriding emotion is disappointment", their second period display provided sufficient proof to suggest they are capable of halting their present form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should provide us lots of belief. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a great chance to earn the results," the manager continued

"We had the confidence prior to the match, throughout the game and after the encounter. Or else you can't come back with a showing like that. We have strong unity and fighting spirit in the dressing room"

Expert Opinion

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, ex- Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everyone expected it to be a comfortable victory for Manchester City, but it has been anything but comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's adjustments, who is frequently questioned for not being as responsive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and physically challenged the Manchester City defenders"

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