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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 start with Phil Foden scoring inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol extended the home side's advantage before the interval

Second Period Comeback Denied

However, Leeds fought back after the break following a adjustment of strategy and formation, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting straight away after the restart

And with City visibly struggling to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha levelled, home goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down to get treatment, enabling boss Pep Guardiola to call his team to the sideline and deliver fresh directions during the 120 seconds the game was stopped for

"Everyone understands why he went down," Farke commented

"It is not the obvious issue. Why he went down it was obvious. It is within the bounds of the regulations. It is clever. If I like it? If it's in line with the spirit of sportsmanship? If it ought to be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to determine a solution"

Coach's Frustration

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

"Unless we teach our players in the game what to do in terms of fair play and sportsmanship and everything and if we just attempt to bend the rules and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an extra team talk, it is not what I approve of personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Winner

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

Tactical Adjustments

However, Daniel Farke, who has been questioned for a lack of boldness especially around changes, was nearly rewarded for a courageous choice at the half-time that nearly turned around their fortunes

Talking to BBC Match of the Day, Phil Foden, stated that his team were only capable to regroup after Guardiola's touchline meeting with his squad

"At half-time we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot higher, they put two in attack and changed the formation a little bit," said Foden

"We really struggled to gain control of the game. We assembled on the side of the pitch and changed a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That little break was vital to make corrections"

Encouraging Aspects for Leeds United

The last occasion Leeds United suffered four straight consecutive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their season concluded with relegation

However, while Daniel Farke stated that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second-half performance offered sufficient evidence to indicate they are able of arresting their current form and moving back up the table

"Displaying such a display should provide us plenty of confidence. If we show such determination and togetherness we have a excellent opportunity to earn the results," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence prior to the game, throughout the fixture and after the encounter. Otherwise you cannot respond with a showing like that. We have great unity and determination in the locker room"

Expert Analysis

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

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

"Then came Daniel Farke's changes, who is frequently questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was introduced and physically challenged the City defenders"

"It appeared like it could be a massive turning point in Leeds' campaign, but Manchester City discovered a bit of quality. They escaped with one this evening"