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Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has accused Manchester City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of simulating a knock to "exploit the regulations" during their top-flight fixture at the Etihad

Leeds got off to the worst possible start with Phil Foden finding the net inside the first minute, before Josko Gvardiol doubled the hosts' advantage before the half-time break

Second Period Revival Thwarted

Nevertheless, the visitors fought back following the interval following a adjustment of tactics and setup, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting immediately following the restart

And with Manchester City visibly having difficulty to cope with the changes moments before Lukas Nmecha equalized, home keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma collapsed to receive attention, enabling manager Pep Guardiola to call his players to the sideline and issue new directions in the two minutes play was halted for

"Everyone understands why he collapsed," Farke commented

"It is not the elephant in the room. Why he fell it was obvious. 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 should be like this I will keep to myself. It is up to the authorities to find a solution"

Coach's Disappointment

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

"If we don't educate our footballers in football what to do in terms of sportsmanship and sportsmanship and everything and if we just try to exploit regulations and actually do a simulated knock in order to do an additional team talk, it is not what I like personally. But if it is within the rules I have no grounds for complaint"

Late Deciding Goal

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

Strategic Adjustments

However, Farke, who has been criticised for a lack of adventure particularly around substitutions, was almost vindicated for a courageous decision at the interval that almost reversed their situation

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Foden, stated that his side were only able to reorganize following Pep Guardiola's sideline conference with his squad

"During the break we were in command. Second half they came out, harried us a lot more aggressively, they put a pair up top and altered the setup a little bit," commented Foden

"We genuinely had difficulty to gain control of the game. We got together on the edge of the field and adjusted a couple of aspects and it improved from there. That brief pause was crucial to make corrections"

Positive Aspects for Leeds United

The most recent occasion Leeds lost four straight successive top-flight games was in 2022-23, when their campaign concluded with relegation

Nevertheless, while Farke said that "their overriding feeling is disappointment", their second period performance offered sufficient proof to suggest they are able of arresting their current run and climbing up the table

"To show such a display should give us plenty of confidence. If we show such spirit and togetherness we have a great chance to win the points," Farke continued

"We possessed the confidence before the match, during the game and following the game. Otherwise you can't come back with a performance like that. We have strong togetherness and determination in the dressing room"

Expert Analysis

Commenting on radio analysis, former Celtic forward Chris Sutton remarked: "Everybody expected it to be a comfortable win for City, but it has been far from comfortable in this second period"

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

"Following that were Daniel Farke's changes, who is often questioned for not being as proactive as he should be. Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on and roughed up the Manchester City centre-backs"

"It looked like it might be a huge pivotal moment in Leeds' season, but City found a measure of brilliance. They got away with one this evening"