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Leeds 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

The visitors got off to the poorest start with Phil Foden finding the net within the opening 60 seconds, prior to Josko Gvardiol extended the hosts' advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Thwarted

However, Leeds rallied after the break after a change of strategy and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring immediately following the restart

Furthermore with Manchester City visibly struggling to deal with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to get attention, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the touchline and issue fresh instructions in the 120 seconds the game 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 obvious. It is within the rules. It is smart. If I approve? If it's within the sense of sportsmanship? If it should be like this I will reserve to myself. It is up to the governing bodies to find a solution"

Coach's Frustration

"I ask the fourth official at this point if you want to do something. Our options are limited"

"If we don't teach our footballers in football what to do in regards of sportsmanship and fair play and whatever and if we simply try to bend the rules and even do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like myself. But if it is allowed by the regulations I can't complain"

Late Winner

Phil Foden's injury-time decisive goal sent Leeds United to a sixth consecutive loss in seven top-flight matches to leave them eighteenth in the division, with only last-placed Wolves having notched fewer top-flight strikes this term

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was almost vindicated for a bold choice at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Talking to television pundits, Foden, stated that his team were only able to regroup following Pep Guardiola's touchline meeting with his players

"During the break we were in command. Second half they emerged, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put two in attack and changed the setup a bit," commented Phil Foden

"We really had difficulty to gain control of the match. We got together on the side of the pitch and changed a few things and it improved from there. That brief pause was vital to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight successive Premier League matches was in the 2022-23 season, when their season ended with relegation

However, while Farke stated that "their main emotion is frustration", their second-half display provided sufficient proof to indicate they are capable of halting their current run and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a performance should give us lots of confidence. If we show such determination and unity we have a great opportunity to win the points," Farke added

"We possessed the belief before the game, during the game and following the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a performance like that. We have great togetherness and fighting spirit in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, ex- Celtic attacker Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable victory for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second half"

"Leeds can take 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 proactive as he ought to be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

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